6 tips to get the most out of a tank of gas
A year ago, the average national price for a gallon of gas was $2.86, according to AAA. Now, the average national price for a gallon of gas is $4.10. This increase in fuel prices has been difficult for motorists, especially those who rely on their vehicles to make a living.
TPG has shared ways that you can save on gas using a variety of creative methods, including paying with the best credit cards for gas purchases and using third-party applications like GasBuddy.
In this post, we'll share a few ways that you can save money by getting the most out of a tank of gas. You can begin to incorporate these tips now and save on fuel without getting a new car.
Obey speed limits
We get it: Most of us drive about 10% to 15% higher than the published speed limit. Speeding, of course, is primarily a safety concern, but it also can increase your fuel consumption.
A recent Consumer Reports study measured fuel consumption at 55, 65 and 75 mph in a Nissan Altima and Toyota RAV4. Results indicate that driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph improved fuel economy by 6 mpg in the Altima and 8 mpg in the RAV4. Meanwhile, driving at 75 mph instead of 65 mph took an additional 7 mpg in the Altima and 6 mpg in the RAV4.
As Consumer Reports puts it, "Speeding up from 55 to 75 mph is like moving from a compact car to a large SUV."
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Drive conservatively
AAA encourages drivers to avoid "jack rabbit" starts, rapid acceleration and hard braking.
By driving with a lead foot, you can lower your fuel economy by 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
Consumer Reports also encourages motorists to maintain a steady pace once they're up to speed. If the car in front of you slows down and accelerates again, you have space to maintain a steady speed. When you brake, you're forfeiting the fuel that you used to get up to speed.
Likewise, the harder that you accelerate, the more fuel you use. An efficient driver is smooth and anticipates the movement of traffic. By driving smoothly, you also extend the life of your engine, transmission, brakes and tires, according to Consumer Reports.
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Keep tires rotated and inflated to an ideal pressure
State Farm suggests having your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. By rotating your tires, you'll help evenly distribute the wear and tear, which saves you money on tires.
In addition, tires that are underinflated tend to decrease gas mileage. Take this as a reminder to make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer's maximum.
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Avoid excessive idling
According to AAA, a car engine sips from a quarter to half a gallon of gas per hour when idling. A warm engine only takes around 10 seconds' worth of fuel to restart. Though your car's automatic stop/start engine feature might do it automatically, AAA suggests shutting off your engine when you're going to be stopped for more than a minute, when it's safe to do so.
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Combine trips
Toyota suggests combining all your trips into one to save fuel. Mapping out an efficient errand route saves time and gas, particularly in winter months when warming up your engine takes more gas. By combining your trips into one, you can avoid unneeded and costly warmups.
Related: Gas prices are surging: Here’s how I save $1,000 per year on gas fill-ups
Watch your aerodynamics
Consumer Reports notes that 50% of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag at highway speeds.
Open windows and vehicle accessories add to aerodynamic drag and reduce fuel efficiency. A study was conducted with two mountain bikes on a roof rack on a Nissan Altima and Toyota RAV4. With the roof rack and mountain bikes, the Altima lost 13 mpg, going from 46 mpg to 33 mpg. The RAV4 lost 7 mpg, dropping to 32 mpg from 39 mpg.
And even without the bikes, the Altima lost 5 mpg while the RAV4 dropped 2 mpg by driving at highway speeds with an empty roof rack.
You might think that you'd be better off opening your car's window as opposed to using the air conditioner. But a study from SAE International shows that an open window at highway speeds decreases efficiency by around 20%. On the other hand, using the A/C will decrease your efficiency by around 10%, thanks to modern vehicles having efficient air conditioners.
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Bottom line
From Maine to Hawaii, Americans need to become creative to economize on fuel expenses. By adjusting to your day-to-day driving habits, you might be able to get an extra hundred miles or so out of your tank without purchasing a new car.
And by incorporating these tips, you will save on vehicle maintenance, which only stacks the potential in savings.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.